Chapter 2: Spirit Animal

I know many of you were probably expecting to see a picture of an animal attached to this post.  Sorry to disappoint, but for me, my spirit animal happens to be an author.  Helene Hanff to be exact.  There’s a bit of a backstory to this, so stay with me.

Helene Hanff is most well known for her book 84 Charing Cross Road.  People ask how I first heard about the book.  While I’d love to have some amazing story behind this part, I don’t.  But….  84 has been my favorite number since I was in high school (this is not a lie, ask my family and friends).  That being said, I may or may not have been looking one day to see if there were any books that had the number 84 in the title.  Why?  No idea.  Were there cocktails involved? Maybe.  Was I bored?  Probably.  But lo and behold the first book to show up in the results was 84 Charing Cross Road.

After reading the brief synopsis I immediately went out and bought the book.  Read it in one night.  Laughed and nearly cried throughout the entire thing.  The connection was instant.  I sat there thinking…. This is me.  We share similar writing style (please tell me if I’m wrong) as well as the same sense of humor, sarcasm, passion and love.  Before coming to my spirit animal conclusion I of course had to find other books she had written just to be sure.  I found and purchased The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, Q’s Legacy, Letter from New York, and The Apple of My Eye (and I’m still on the hunt for Underfoot in Show Business).

Below are a few definitions I have found that explain what a spirit animal is.

“A representation of the traits and skills that you are supposed to learn or have.”

“A person or character that represents your inner personality.  Someone who behaves as though they are showing your feelings through their own actions.”

“An animal who chooses you or you choose it to get guidance and learning to help you thru life.”

That being said, after reading all her books, there was no doubt Helene was surely my spirit animal.  If she were alive today I would do everything in my power to meet her.  In her life she did reply to nearly all her fan mail so I’d like to think there would be a chance.  However I’d probably have to refrain from mentioning the spirit animal part.  Wouldn’t want to come across as crazy or stalker like.  Who knows though, maybe she’d appreciate it.

Just as the spirit animal definition states.  I’m certain Helene definitely chose me, (even if she doesn’t know it).  Although she probably does know and is somewhere saying “Of course I chose you, you nut!  I’m only on your shelf 9 times, soon to be 10 or more!”

Needless to say I can only hope to embody a small portion of her spirit and perhaps one day have great books published as well.  Until then, Helene has my heart and I hope I can entertain you just as much through these posts as she entertained me with her books.

Some call it a problem, I call it passion.  Yes, I have 5 different editions of the same book.  Yes, when I find others I will get those as well.  No, I don’t see this as a problem.